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Head of School's Blog #28 Friday 20th July 2018
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Friday 20th July 2018

As we arrive at the end of another school year it is a fitting time to reflect upon what our students and staff have achieved over the past twelve months, say goodbye to those of us at Sandhill View who are moving on, and to also look forward to the future and next academic year in September after the upcoming summer break and the impending GCSE examinations results which will arrive in August.

As you are already aware, I am personally moving on from my role as Headteacher here at the academy after a period approaching four wonderful years in Sandhill View and as a member of this amazing local community.  In September, I take up a promoted position within a Learning Trust in Newcastle and this means that this is my final blog.  

The blog was introduced to inform parents and guardians more frequently of the many and wide-ranging activities and events which take place on a daily basis within our school.  This edition is no different as we begin by giving our out-going Year 11 students their very own section to celebrate their recent Prom.  Elsewhere, we provide information about our newly introduced House system which has already created a hugely positive buzz around the academy.  We find out how Year 6 students from our feeder primary students got on in Transition Week, in advance of them starting Year 7 in September.  

Health and well-being initiatives, along with STEM and careers events are also highlighted and the abundance of talented performers in this year's dramatic production of 'Annie' also rightly features.  This week saw our hugely successful Sports Day take place with Triton House emerging the victors and we cover their success and contribution from Phoenix and Griffin Houses too.  Our receptionist Mrs McArdle steps into our regular 'Staff in the Spotlight' feature.

I would like for the final time to personally take this opportunity to thank every parent and guardian for your support, aspiration and encouragement in my time here at Sandhill View as Headteacher.  Schools thrive on the efforts and achievements of their students and staff, but without strong relationships with home working alongside us and in tandem, success does not come as quickly.  In Sandhill View these positive relationships are hugely evident and effective.  

The Academy has improved rapidly in all areas over the past five years and there is no doubt that this will continue strongly in the future.  I am looking forward to watching out for and hearing about Sandhill View's wider success and the achievements of its students in the future.

Thank you.


Richard Carr
Headteacher

Prom Perfection for Year 11

After all of the hard work and effort put into their GCSEs it was time for Year 11 to dress up and celebrate in the sunshine for their Prom at The Ramside Hall Hotel.  A fantastic time was had by students and staff alike, with plenty of dancing, speeches and the crowning of our Prom King & Queen for 2018.  We look forward to seeing Year 11 one last time on results day in September!
Introducing Our New House System

Sandhill View Academy prides itself on the support available to all students throughout their school life. This includes extensive Pastoral Support. In September 2018, the Sandhill View Academy House system will be officially launched with pupils and staff all becoming members of one of the three new academy Houses. Each House is named for a mythical beast or deity with Griffin, Phoenix & Triton Houses consisting of every single student and staff member within the school. 

Every House will have a House Leader who is responsible for the care and well-being of students within their House.  Houses are intended to form a bond between pupils beyond their year groups and also promote and celebrates success.  When a student makes excellent progress in their development, shows excellent habits of behaviour or learning, or makes a positive contribution to the school and its wider community, they will also help their House gain greater recognition.  It is this spirit of healthy competition between houses that we hope will promote a positive sense of community within our school and in the future, across the Trust.

Year 6 Take on Transition Week

At the start of the month we welcomed nearly 150 pupils from our feeder primary schools who will be joining us in September as our new Year 7 group.  Our new pupils were excited to find their way around their new school, meet their teachers, try news subjects, enjoy our facilities and have fun with a variety of activities designed to help them bond with their new peers.  The pupils had a fantastic time with us and we look forward to seeing them again in September.

Terrific Teen Talk

Our Year 7 to 10 students recently got the chance to experience our special 'Teen Talk' event, where professionals and experts from local community health, care and public services were available to speak with them on a range of issues.  Students got the chance to learn more about policing & safety in their local community, got the low-down on the dangers of drugs & legal highs, received information on healthy eating & hygiene as well as learning about sexual & mental health.  Pupils had a fantastic time discovering the different workshops and took away with them a lot of valuable information about these important topics.

Students Sharpen Their Career Skills

Pupils recently had the chance to sharpen their careers skills during a special 'Careers Focus Day' of lessons and activities in school.  Instead of their regular timetables, students were challenged with a variety of workshops designed to increase their knowledge of skills useful to the workplace.  This included creating and pitching business models, learning to be creative and inventive with limited resources and applying engineering skills to solve a problem. 

Year 10 Taste Sixth Form Life

Year 10 students from Sandhill View Academy recently joined their peers from Southmoor Academy and other schools across the city at Southmoor Academy's Sixth Form for a day of taster subjects.  Students got the chance to try a range of intriguing A-level subjects including: Literature, Law, Sociology, Biology, Physics, Health & Social Care, Languages and Sport. It is hoped that seeing how challenging and interesting these subjects are at Key Stage 5 will help our students as they enter Year 11 and consider their future paths into further education.

Annie Amazes Audiences

Over the last two weeks of term our annual school performance has been wowing audiences from our local Primary feeders as well as the general public from our community.  This year's performance was the school's rendition of classic broadway musical 'Annie' with a full cast throwing themselves into the signing and lively dance routines.  Visitors were very impressed by our enthusiastic Performing Arts students, with many looking forward to returning to see what next year's performance has in store.

Let The Games Begin!

As part of our introduction to our brand new House system, this week of saw our students fight it out in earning glory for their newly appointed house group.  Pupils went head-to-head over a series of events including physical and mental challenges that really showed off the friendly competitive spirit that the new system can foster.  At the end of the day Triton House walked away with the honour of being the first ever winner of what we hope will be an annual event.

Nissan Cadets

Pupils tested their quality control skills as ‘Industrial Cadets’ at Nissan in Sunderland. Industrial Cadets aims to introduce young people to the workplace, offering a real insight into how businesses operate.  In this case, students were introduced to the idea as working as part of a production line, being challenged by Nissan staff to build miniature car models on time and to a high standard of quality – just like a real production line.  Students learnt a great deal from the workshop including the importance of teamwork, communication and focus.
Women in Engineering

This week we took eight of our Year 10 girls to Sunderland College for a Women in Engineering event. The day focused on the wide range of opportunities in the engineering sector and aimed to highlight to the girls that this was not just a male oriented career. Throughout the day the girls explored the new campus looking at the massive amount of equipment available to prepare them for work in the engineering world. Whilst exploring the different areas the girls had the chance to try out some of the 3D printing techniques which they used to print the casing for a torch, the CNC machines where they engraved their names on the casing and then the electronics department where they could make their personalised torch work. They also looked at pneumatics and had a go at chocolate welding. Our students had a fantastic time and left with a changed perspective of engineering. 
Sandhill Skip Trip 2018

The 2019 annual school skiing trip is already in the pipeline with plans coming together for the much anticipated trip. This year we will be returning to the Granvalria resort in Andorra for a five-day ski package that includes lessons and tuition from instructors.  The full board trip will take place from 6th - 13th April 2019. More information is available on our school website for those interested.  A deposit of £100 will be due by September for parents wishing to reserve a place for their child.

My favourite childhood book is 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton. The stories follow 3 siblings who discover an enchanted tree. At the top of the tree a new 'land' is there at every visit, and along with their friends Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the Fairy, they have many adventures. I loved this because it really captured my imagination trying to visualise The Land of Toys and Land of Spells etc. And I always hoped I would find that Faraway Tree on visits to the woods as a child! 

My favourite invention is the smart phone because they have become an integral part of life, from basic communication, to ordering food, controlling your home and finances to even helping people find someone to share all of that with.

What do you do at Sandhill View?
I am the visitor receptionist for the Academy.

Who was your favourite teacher at school and why?
Sister Adrian. She was my life skills teacher. Taught me so many things from childcare, to caring for the elderly, to cookery and sewing as well as learning about finance.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love reading, spending time with my children and grandchildren.

Who is your favourite musical artist or band?
Aerosmith! 'I don’t wanna miss a thing' is my favourite as it is my wedding song.

What's the best thing about Sandhill View?
There is a sense of pride within the Academy. The staff and children are all amazing.

What's the one thing you could never be without?
My Family ,friends, fur-babies & my photo albums.

Have you missed out on previous editions of our Head of School's Blog? Click Here to check out our blog archive.
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